Comments on: 2003 Ford Explorer AC Not Cold Enough

By: dennisb - Auto Tool Sales

dennisb - Auto Tool Sales — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:30:16 +0000

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By: dennisb - Auto Tool Sales

dennisb - Auto Tool Sales — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:18:08 +0000

Glenn, if the temperature difference is substantial there could be a door or actuator problem like you originally asked. A trained tech that can see exactly what’s going on, should be able pinpoint the problem fairly easily.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:55:29 +0000

Thanks Dennis. I checked the gauge readings and they are not low. What other reason could cause it to blow warm air on the drivers side, especially if the fresh air door hasn’t fallen and still closes when necessary?

By: dennisb - Auto Tool Sales

dennisb - Auto Tool Sales — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:13:02 +0000

Matt, no the difference in side to side is not likely because a vacuum leak, unless the door actuators are controlled by vacuum. I would also be looking at the possibilty of low refrigerant or a possible door actuator problem.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:41:00 +0000

Thanks for the response. That explains why it switches from dash to defrost. Does it have anything to do with the difference in temp between the driver and passenger sides?

By: braso

braso — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:15:41 +0000

Thanks for the quick response Dennisb. Ill have the ac gauge checked. Its only this last 3 months that my xlt started showing problems since 2002. Service engine soon light problem, dpfe, Courtesy light and now the AC.

Big Thanks for the help – from this side of the world (Dubai)

By: dennisb - Auto Tool Sales

dennisb - Auto Tool Sales — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:02:51 +0000

Matt, That would only make sense if the heater control valve is leaking vacuum. A vacuum leak is a very common cause of the air to blow out the defrost upon accelleration.

By: dennisb - Auto Tool Sales

dennisb - Auto Tool Sales — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:00:32 +0000

Glenn, Yes, there is a difference in the blend door and the recirculate door. The blend door on the Explorer is not a common problem (but anything is possible). I would ask a second opinion from someone locally. Low refrigerant can cause variations of temperature in vents sometimes.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:28:30 +0000

I have a 2002 ford explorer. when the a/c is running it blows cold out of the drivers side and warmer on the pasenger side. It also starts out blowing out of the dash vents, but switches to defrost vents on it’s own. I took it to a dealership and they say i have a bad heater control valve. does that sound right?

By: Glenn

Glenn — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:50:29 +0000

I have a 2002 explorer with rear air. My passenger side air vents blow warmer air than the drivers side. The air in the rear is colder than in the front. The door behind the glove compartment moves when I switch the controls. When checked by my mechanic the system is fully charged. Is there a difference between the door behind the glove box and the blend door? If it is different do I need to remove the dash as described?